Local News

By Barry Massey and Jeri Clausing
The Associated Press
SANTA FE — Gov. Susana Martinez, under pressure from media groups to release more details about her work days and travel schedules, on Friday posted office calendars dating back to when she took office in January 2011.

The Associated Press
LAS CRUCES — A southern New Mexico county clerk who is facing a challenge for his decision to issue same-sex marriage licenses has garnered close to $30,000 in donations, the clerk announced this week.
The Las Cruces News-Sun reports that Dona Ana County Clerk Lynn Ellins has pulled in 556 donations totaling nearly $28,400 from a website.

In 1963
Tuesday, Sept. 10 — The San Miguel County Democratic Central Committee meeting Sunday gave a vote of confidence to County Chairman Apolonio Duran. Among the things Duran pointed to as benefits to the county was the $50,000 appropriation for ditches and dams on the Pecos River. He added that Gov. Jack Campbell and his administration are working to get $50,000 federal matching funds to double the size of the project.

Two New Mexico boys allegedly kidnapped by their father more than a year ago have been rescued in Colorado, The Associated Press Reports.
New Mexico Attorney General Gary King says his office had been working for months on the case with Rio Rancho police and federal agencies.
He says the boys — ages 6 and 8 — were returned to Albuquerque early Friday by agents from the AG’s Office.
Colorado authorities are credited with recovering the boys after a brief scuffle with their father.

The normally sleepy Gallinas River came roaring to life Friday morning with such force that it tore open a gaping hole in a canal, flooded homes and at least one business along its banks, threatened the stability of bridges and forced evacuations of residences and closures of schools.

No deaths or injures had been reported as of late Saturday, although a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter was called in just after midnight on Saturday to rescue an elderly couple whose ill-fated attempt to escape the El Porvenir area left them stranded.

Update 1 p.m.: The surge of water in the Gallinas River wasn't as bad as expected, aleviating fears of a repeat of Friday's flooding. The river walk remains closed, however, and the possibility of additional heavy rain on Sunday afternoon and night remains.

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More flooding is occurring in San Miguel County this morning, as the heavy rain that fell in Las Vegas and surrounding areas Saturday night once again swells the Gallinas River.

The flooding in San Miguel County and other areas of New Mexico prompted Gov. Susana Martinez to sign an executive order Friday declaring an emergency.

"Through this executive order, I have directed state government resources to ensure the safety and well being of everyone affected by these heavy storms," Martinez said in a release. "As the heavy rains continue, I encourage all New Mexicans to continue to pay attention to your local weather forecast and be aware of warnings wherever you are."

A portion of the earthen canal that carries floodwaters to Storrie Lake ruptured either late Thursday or early Friday, and that has contributed to the flooding that has taken place, Mayor Alfonso Ortiz said at a news conference Friday afternoon.

The emergency operations center has been activated, and a hotline has been established to answer calls from the public.

That number is 454-3700.

Ortiz said the rupture occurred east of Bradner Dam near the village of Los Vigiles.